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Kenya

Divesites
19
Centers
4
Courses & Events
18
Wildlife
38
© Shutterstock/Thammanoon Khamchalee

Explore Kenya

Kenya's underwater world is as mesmerizing as its famed savannahs. Diving along the country's coast offers a unique experience, revealing vibrant coral reefs, dramatic walls, and historic shipwrecks. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean provide excellent conditions for both novice and experienced divers, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet. Popular dive spots include Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Watamu Marine Park, where divers can explore the rich biodiversity of the reefs and encounter species like sea turtles, reef sharks, and an astonishing variety of colorful fish.

Liveaboard trips and boat dives are common, allowing divers to explore more remote sites, while shore dives offer easy access to beautiful underwater landscapes. Seasonal changes bring diverse marine life, such as the migration of whale sharks, making each dive a unique adventure. Kenya's diving scene is not just about the marine ecosystem; it also includes a blend of cultural encounters with coastal communities, adding depth to the overall experience. Whether you're drifting along coral gardens or exploring a sunken wreck, diving in Kenya provides an unforgettable journey into the heart of the ocean.

Power Plug Type
G
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff & Guides / Tipping is expected in restaurants, hotels, and tours; amount may vary based on service quality
Airports
NBO, MBA
Currency
KES
Dial Code
+254
Electricity
240 V / 50 Hz
Time
UTC+3

Places to explore

Courses and Events

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

Top Wildlife Sightings in Kenya

Kenya's marine ecosystems, particularly along the Indian Ocean coastline, are rich with diverse marine life. Common reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish populate the vibrant coral reefs, offering divers a colorful underwater spectacle year-round. These species are abundant and can be seen in popular diving spots like Watamu and Malindi Marine Parks.

Seasonal highlights include the migration of whale sharks, primarily sighted from November to March. Green and hawksbill turtles are also commonly encountered, especially around designated conservation areas like the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve. Additionally, manta rays and various types of reef sharks can be seen at certain times of the year, enhancing the diving experience. Being aware of these seasonal patterns increases the likelihood of encountering these majestic creatures.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

635 Sightings
J
78
F
67
M
112
A
21
M
2
J
4
J
21
A
41
S
49
O
56
N
75
D
109

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

407 Sightings
J
52
F
45
M
102
A
13
M
2
J
4
J
7
A
12
S
22
O
33
N
58
D
57

Hawksbill Turtle

358 Sightings
J
45
F
35
M
59
A
10
M
2
J
12
J
11
A
8
S
25
O
28
N
52
D
71

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Octopus

202 Sightings
J
23
F
23
M
53
A
6
M
0
J
1
J
4
A
4
S
19
O
16
N
30
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

Barracuda

69 Sightings
J
13
F
16
M
14
A
4
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
0
N
5
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

Wrasse

61 Sightings
J
14
F
16
M
18
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
6
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

Lionfish

362 Sightings
J
47
F
51
M
85
A
15
M
3
J
5
J
5
A
11
S
11
O
30
N
41
D
58

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Clownfish

351 Sightings
J
49
F
47
M
98
A
11
M
1
J
3
J
8
A
18
S
23
O
28
N
34
D
31

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Angelfish

300 Sightings
J
57
F
56
M
74
A
10
M
1
J
3
J
5
A
12
S
12
O
20
N
19
D
31

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

278 Sightings
J
52
F
42
M
59
A
11
M
2
J
2
J
3
A
14
S
10
O
23
N
30
D
30

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Trumpetfish

276 Sightings
J
40
F
47
M
64
A
4
M
0
J
1
J
3
A
10
S
13
O
17
N
33
D
44

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

253 Sightings
J
38
F
44
M
73
A
8
M
1
J
3
J
2
A
5
S
11
O
18
N
21
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Bannerfish

230 Sightings
J
29
F
46
M
64
A
6
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
10
S
16
O
21
N
15
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

214 Sightings
J
33
F
38
M
57
A
8
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
10
S
6
O
12
N
9
D
38

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

Surgeonfish

210 Sightings
J
34
F
20
M
42
A
10
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
13
S
10
O
23
N
23
D
30

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Pufferfish

201 Sightings
J
33
F
28
M
42
A
11
M
3
J
1
J
6
A
8
S
14
O
11
N
20
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

Stingrays

191 Sightings
J
35
F
15
M
39
A
3
M
0
J
4
J
6
A
7
S
14
O
11
N
11
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Scorpionfish

185 Sightings
J
27
F
33
M
38
A
12
M
0
J
5
J
6
A
15
S
13
O
10
N
14
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

Boxfish

176 Sightings
J
28
F
24
M
42
A
6
M
2
J
0
J
3
A
4
S
8
O
10
N
35
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Goatfish

163 Sightings
J
28
F
30
M
40
A
4
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
5
S
5
O
14
N
13
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

Triggerfish

161 Sightings
J
23
F
20
M
47
A
4
M
1
J
1
J
2
A
9
S
6
O
18
N
10
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

Nudibranch

154 Sightings
J
20
F
25
M
55
A
7
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
10
O
14
N
7
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Soldierfish

152 Sightings
J
33
F
25
M
37
A
1
M
1
J
2
J
1
A
11
S
8
O
5
N
16
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

Snapper

120 Sightings
J
17
F
34
M
36
A
6
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
3
O
7
N
4
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shrimp

90 Sightings
J
13
F
12
M
36
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
5
S
1
O
8
N
5
D
7

Leaf Scorpionfish

83 Sightings
J
13
F
21
M
11
A
2
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
6
S
4
O
4
N
10
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Grouper/Basslets

77 Sightings
J
19
F
10
M
23
A
2
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
2
S
6
O
4
N
2
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Damselfish

73 Sightings
J
7
F
17
M
37
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
4
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Snake Eel

64 Sightings
J
16
F
4
M
13
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
1
S
1
O
4
N
5
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Spiny Lobster

59 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
10
A
5
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
6
N
20
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Squirrelfish

57 Sightings
J
15
F
8
M
12
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
3
O
4
N
7
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

Jackfish

57 Sightings
J
16
F
11
M
9
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
3
N
5
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 20

Porcupinefish

50 Sightings
J
11
F
10
M
13
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
3
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Stonefish

46 Sightings
J
11
F
3
M
11
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
5
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Garfish

44 Sightings
J
12
F
7
M
19
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
2
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Sand Eel

42 Sightings
J
8
F
5
M
19
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
2
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

Crab

40 Sightings
J
10
F
8
M
17
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

Lobster

32 Sightings
J
17
F
4
M
6
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
0